How and Where to Place Door Sensors

Door and window sensors are the workhorses of your home security system. They monitor who’s coming, who’s going, and when. Learn how and where to place door sensors so you can thwart burglars and keep your home safe.

It’s Time to Change Your Open Door Policy

When you picture a burglar, you likely think of someone who tiptoes up in the dark of night, eases open a window, and prowls quietly around your home. You would be wrong. Most burglars get into your home the same way you do: they open the door and walk right in – often in broad daylight.

5% of burglars entered an unoccupied home through an unlocked door or window.

2% entered an unoccupied home through an open door or window.

28% entered an occupied home through an unlocked door or window.

27% entered an occupied home through an open door or window.

43% of burglaries of unoccupied homes took place between 6am and 6pm.

Wow. It appears that the single most important way to secure your home is also the easiest. Close and lock your doors and windows! But don’t stop there: use window and door sensors to notify you when someone enters or leaves. When your system is armed, GetSafe sends an alert message to your smart phone. You’ll know someone has entered your home – whether you’re across the country or in your bedroom.

Where to Place Door Sensors

Place your door sensors on every exterior door. That includes the door to the garage, patio doors, and even the door to the basement.

Secure your lower-floor doors first. They’re the most attractive targets for intruders because your neighbors are used to seeing people come and go from the ground floor. Someone rappelling off the roof or doing a Spiderman impersonation on the side of the house is going to be a lot more conspicuous than a guy casually opening a side door.

Door sensors are also useful on interior doors, cabinets, and drawers. Use them to monitor the activities of roommates, guests, or family members:

Who’s getting into the liquor cabinet?

Are the kids snooping in your bedroom closet hunting for their Christmas gifts?

How Door Sensors Work

GetSafe’s entry sensors use two parts: a magnet and a transmitter. When the two are placed in close proximity, the magnetic field and the electronic connectors complete a circuit. Opening the door breaks the circuit, triggering an alarm. This type of sensor is a “reed switch.” Read more about them here.

All our entry sensors are compact, battery-powered, and easy to install.

How to Install Door Sensors

Can you use double-sided tape? Great! You can easily install your GetSafe window and door sensors.

Make sure your SmartHub is plugged in and working properly.

Insert the batteries into the sensors.

The two-piece entry sensors are marked with dots. The dots need to line up to complete the circuit.

Generally, it’s best to place the magnet (the smaller piece) on the door and the transmitter (the larger piece) on the doorframe, but doors with decorative molding or patio doors may require a different set-up.

Place the sensors out of the reach of pets and children.

Once you’ve found the best spot, peel the cover off the tape and affix carefully to place the two pieces close together on the door and doorframe. Keep them close together; no more than a thumb’s width apart.

Open and close the door several times to make sure the door doesn’t make contact with the sensor on the frame and shift its position.

The sensors included in your StarterKit are already paired with your SmartHub. If you’re installing additional sensors, it’s easy to add them using the GetSafe smartphone app.

When you move, just remove your sensors, pack the system, and install it in your new home.

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